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Parents' Guide to

Otherhood

By Renee Schonfeld, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Good actors can't overcome forced comedy; language, drinking

Movie R 2019 100 minutes
Otherhood Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 17+

Based on 3 parent reviews

age 18+

Good for adult

It's a good movie for adults! The movie advocate gay relationships, mothers love and forgiveness envelopes through infidelity
age 16+

Too much alcohol lets down great middle aged mom focus

So I watched this with another mom of teens and we laughed and commiserated with many of the issues the film moms are facing. Loved watching great middle aged actresses address real life challenges - parent/young adult relationships, empty nest, loss of identity, infidelity, positive LGBTQ portrayals. Hated how much they all used alcohol almost constantly as a crutch and only discussed it briefly as a problem. Why do people have to get painfully drunk to relax, bond, and have fun? Drinks with every meal and anytime a character is alone contemplating their life. This overuse let down an otherwise touching, thoughtful film.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (2 ):

Good parts for women "of a certain age" are hard to come by in Hollywood, so three stellar actresses decided to produce one for themselves; unfortunately, the material doesn't measure up. The filmmakers, with Cindy Chupack as director and co-writer, try to play it safe. They include as many obligatory species as possible, none of them fresh or memorable: a meddling Jewish mother, an African American preppie, a widow who hasn't emerged from grief, a happily gay young man, an insecure writer. They don't stint on trite situations either, like a mom inadvertently catching her son on the verge of sex with a beautiful young woman and the predictable make-over moment. As solid as the entire company of players is, Otherhood feels forced and by-the-numbers. Sadly, the script simply misses more than it hits.

Movie Details

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